Record

Needle of bone

Needle of bone

This bone needle was found at the native broch settlement site of Hillhead in Caithness. It was used for sewing, probably for heavy materials like leather, sometime between 200 BC and 800 AD.

The needle is slightly curved.

Once skins were cleaned and preserved to form leather, pieces could be cut, then sewed together. First lines of holes were made using awls, then they were sewed together with thread made from plant fibres or animal gut, or with leather thongs.